Welcome!
We are so glad you're here!
Please know that we're THRILLED to have you with us today
and look forward to getting to know you better!
Kids Classes:
If you have kids with you today we offer classes from Pre-K age up!
They are welcome to join one!
We are happy to show you to class.
Welcome Binder:
You should have received a Welcome folder when you were greeted with info telling about us and a visitor sheet where you get to tell us about you and what brings you here today!
- If you did not get one just ask and we will get it right away!
Learn more about us below
We LOVE studying the bible and our only aim is to worship God in a manor that pleases and honors him alone.
Did you know you can become a Christian TODAY!
If you have HEARD the Gospel (The Good news that Jesus, the Son of God came to earth to be a perfect sacrifice for our sin)
And you BELIEVE it! - You would CONFESS this to people. Infants and small children can't fully understand this so they are covered by God until they are old enough to understand.
And you recognize you have sinned in your life
(what's sin?-breaking God's laws) the bible says ALL have sinned.
And you feel sorry for your sins...you want to be forgiven- that's REPENTANCE (also means to turn from sin and turn to God)
And you want to be baptized (the word baptism literally translates to immersion or being put fully under water) - this washes away your sins.
Then YOU ARE READY!
You can be baptized TODAY and wash your sins away!
We are ready - don't wait! Today means today (we don't schedule baptisms, we are ready NOW)
Empty cup goes here in the chair in front of you.
We take the Lord's Supper (Communion) every Sunday!
Here's Why:
That's how it was done in the 1st Century by early Christians.
Examples of Christians meeting on the 1st Day are here:
Acts 20:7 - On the first day of the week, when we were gathered
together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to
depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until
midnight.
1 Corinthians 11:26 - For as often as you eat this bread and drink
the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
We Sing praises to God!
No instruments and here's why:
It's all about HIM and what He wants!
In the Old Testament (Genesis-Malachi) there were choirs and even instruments ordained by God. That's what He wanted during that time.
We now live under the New Law (instituted by Christ) in the New Testament (Matthew-Revelation).
God now asks that we simply sing.
Ephesians 5:19 - speaking to one another in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts
to the Lord
Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ richly dwell within
you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with
psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in
your hearts to God.
We listen to a Sermon on Sunday
Here's Why:
If we don't know what the bible says we can't follow it and please God.
The preacher and teachers are here to teach God's word, not give a 45 min talk on how they feel about one verse.
Romans 10:14-17 - 14 How then will they call on him
in whom they have not believed? And how are they
to believe in him of whom they have never
heard? And how are they to hear without someone
preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless
they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the
feet of those who preach the good
news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel.
For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he
has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from
hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
We take up a collection every Sunday
Here's Why:
It's important!
We give so the work can continue and because we are commanded to do so.
The collection is a free will offering meaning we give as members what we have purposed in our heart and as we prosper. This is not the same as a tithe like in the OT (not a certain percentage).
We don't keep track of who gives what or give out statements for taxes.
It's between you and God.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 - Now concerning the collection
for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia,
so you also are to do. On the first day of every week,
each of you is to put something aside and store it
up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no
collecting when I come.
2 Corinthians 9:7 - Each one must give as he has
decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
For your convenience we accept electronic methods of giving.
Zelle: 941-209-0081
Checks can be made out to:
The Cortez Florida Church of Christ
We pray together!
Here's Why:
We speak directly to God through his son Jesus Christ when we pray!
We have direct access to speak to our heavenly father.
We thank God for all he has provided in our lives, we ask for healing for ourselves and people we know, we ask God to help us to fight temptations and guide our footsteps so that we can be pleasing to him!
Even Jesus prayed!
Prayer is essential! We are God's children and he wants to hear from us! He speaks to us through his word (the Bible)
Philippians 4:6 - do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known to God.
Acts 2:42 - And they devoted themselves to the
apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the
breaking of bread and the prayers.
More about us!
No Headquarters!
We have NO earthly headquarters!
No paying dues-No corporation telling us what to study-no mandated workbooks we simply read the BIBLE!
Each Church of Christ belongs to Christ- he bought it with his blood!
We follow the Bible as the ultimate authority.
Each local church is led by elders (also called shepherds, overseers,
pastors) who watch over that church.
We study what we agree on and what we are lacking in so we can grow to better please God!
1 Peter 5:1-4 - So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder
and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in
the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion,
but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but
eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being
examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you
will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Why the name
Church of Christ?
What's in a name?
There are examples in the new Testament where Christ's church is called by this name.
The Church of Christ
IS THE church established by Jesus and began on the day of Penetcost
33A.D. (Act Chapter 2)
Most churches can give you the date they begun (long after the early church had been established)
Catholic: Circa 100 A.D. some 60+ years AFTER Christ's church began.
Baptist: Early 17th Century
(1609-1612 A.D.)
Lutheran: 1517A.D.
Methodist: 1738 A.D.
Pentecostal: 1906 A.D.
Mormon: 1830 A.D.
Jehovah's Whiteness: 1870 A.D.
Matthew 16:18 - And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I
will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Acts 20:28 - Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock,
among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to
shepherd the church of God (Christ) which He purchased
with His own blood.
1 Corinthians 1:10 - Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there
be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the
same mind and in the same judgment.
Colossians 1:18 - And He is the head of the body, the church.
Ephesians 4:4 - There is one body (church) and one Spirit—just
as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call
— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of
all, who is over all and through all and in all.
We study the ENTIRE Bible!
We believe the ENTIRE Bible is the inspired word of God!
We recognize that we are under the new covenant (new law under Christ) Church we STUDY the whole Bible because it's ALL meant for us!
2 Timothy 2:16-17 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training
in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be
complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:3 - His divine power has granted to us all things that
pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who
called us to His own glory and excellence
We believe baptism is necessary for salvation!
Mark 16:16 - Whoever believes and is baptized will
be saved, but whoever does not believe will be
condemned.
1 Peter 3:21 - Baptism, which corresponds to
this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the
body but as an appeal to God for a good
conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ,